It’s fair to say that Mark Neeld and Brad Green have differing recollections of how Jack Grimes and Jack Trengove became Melbourne co-captains.

With the Demons entering their first finals campaign since 2006, one of the darkest periods in the club’s history was revisited on Tuesday night.

Neeld, the former Melbourne head coach who was sacked after five wins from 33 games, was interviewed by respected journalist Mike Sheahan on his Fox Footy show Open Mike.

Green captained the club in 2011, but was stripped of the role by Neeld in his first year in charge in favour of Grimes and Trengove, who were 22 and 20 respectively.

“I wouldn’t say that he was dumped,” Neeld said in his recollection of the decision.

“I think that all leadership positions were open … Brad was aware of that.

“The information or discussions that I had with Brad were that that sat well with him … that they were all open.

“He just wanted to see how his teammates rated his behaviours.”

Green, who wasn’t even included in the extended leadership group, felt compelled to take to Twitter with his thoughts.

“Open Mike with Mark Neeld #pinocchio,” he tweeted with an accompanying emoji of a face with a long nose.

Green retired at the end of the 2012 season, while Neeld was sacked halfway through the 2013 campaign after the Demons managed one win from their first 11 games.

He would eventually join Essendon as a development coach under James Hird before taking up a more senior role as John Worsfold’s right-hand man after he replaced Hird late in 2015.

Neeld was fired this year after the Bombers lurched to a 2-6 start to the season, the team going on to finish 11th with a 12-10 record.

He departed amid reports his powerful role had created discord in the coaches box.

“To say that I didn’t let anyone talk to Woosha … that’s ridiculous,” Neeld said.

“It’s as simple as my role in the box was to ask people questions to ensure that they were giving John the information that he wanted.

“… There was great alignment between Rob Kerr, when he was GM of football, and Woosha with regard to the (coaching) structure then Rob left at the end of last year.

“Dan Richardson came from Richmond and he was not aligned to Woosha’s structure.”

The game performance coach role Neeld vacated wasn’t filled.